PRATTVILLE — A $1 million incentives package in Prattville is going forward.

Circuit Judge Ben Fuller approved the deal between the city and Akins Holding XL Prattville LLC. The developers plan on bringing in a retail center at the closed Gilmore Ford location on East Main Street. The incentives package includes rebating half of the city portion of sales taxes collected from the development for a total of $1 million, or a period of one year, whichever comes first.

Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr. applauds the judge's decision.

"This is an incentives-based deal," Gillespie said. "If the developer doesn't build, there is no rebate. And we will still receive half of the city's sales tax collections, with an amount and time frame cutoff.

"This is good news for Prattville and Autauga County. I think people will be pleased when we announce the stores and businesses that are coming. It'll be exciting to see more orange dirt being moved around in Prattville."

City officials have been mum about what businesses are being pursued by the developers, citing confidentiality agreements. Initial plans filed by Akins before the Prattville Planning Commission, in mid-2017, showed plans for a retail outlets and a grocery store.Those plans were later withdrawn by the developers.The developers also declined to comment about what businesses are being recruited.

Fuller's 11-page order comes after a hearing on Jan. 12. The "validation" hearing was done to ensure the city followed the law in offering the incetives package.